Tip: A tough task awaits the Buffalo Sabres as they visit the Vancouver Canucks!

We can already count Buffalo out in the playoff race. It’s a record-breaking drought, as the team has now missed the playoffs for 14 consecutive years and is once again failing to reach the postseason. There’s a lot to be said about all these years of failures, but in short, I believe both the management and the coaching staff are simply not the right fit for this organization.

Another Loss Yesterday

The Buffalo Sabres played as recently as last night when they visited the Seattle Kraken. Aside from a brief stretch in the second period where they managed to claw back from 3-1 to 3-3, there wasn’t much to be impressed by. Sure, there’s offensive potential when Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin get going, but conceding goals immediately after a push forward—again and again—exposes the team’s glaring defensive weaknesses. With more than half the season played, only the Pittsburgh Penguins and San Jose Sharks have allowed more goals per game on average. Buffalo's defensive corps is offensively minded and young, but the lack of discipline and sloppy play cannot be excused.

It also doesn’t help that the Sabres lack a truly reliable goaltender. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen certainly has a tough job as the team's No. 1 goalie, but even his underlying numbers are subpar. He was absent yesterday, meaning AHL goaltender Devon Levi had to step in—and he did not have a good night. Luukkonen might return tonight, but if not, it will likely be James Reimer in net, which isn’t exactly an ideal situation.

Trouble in Canucks Camp?

There have been a lot of trade rumors and discussions surrounding Vancouver lately, with much of the talk focused on J.T. Miller. He reportedly doesn’t enjoy playing alongside Elias Pettersson, and at times, they’ve even been split into separate power-play units to avoid playing together. We don’t know the full extent of the situation, but we do know that Miller was close to being traded. However, nothing has been finalized, and for now, he remains in a Canucks jersey.

Despite a rough end to 2024, Vancouver now has nearly its full roster back. The team dealt with injuries to key players for an extended period, and although their play has been inconsistent, they should start improving. After all, this was a 109-point team in the regular season last year.

Perhaps their turnaround began with their most recent win, where they put on a dominant performance against the Edmonton Oilers. They held their opponents to just 15 shots on goal—a great sign, as Vancouver is extremely difficult to create scoring chances against when they are at their best. Quinn Hughes once again showed why he is a top contender for the Norris Trophy, scoring twice on the power play, both assisted by J.T. Miller. Vancouver needs to build on that victory and continue winning to stay in the playoff race. This team is simply too good to miss the postseason, and I don’t believe they’re in any real danger yet. Tonight’s matchup looks like a perfect opportunity to further solidify their position.

Conclusion & Betting Pick

The Buffalo Sabres continue to struggle, with very few bright spots this season. Playing on back-to-back nights is always a disadvantage, as fatigue sets in. Meanwhile, the Canucks are coming off an impressive win against the Oilers and have a fully healthy roster. With no game until Friday, they can go all out tonight to secure another important victory and tighten their grip on the final wild-card spot.

I simply don’t think Buffalo has what it takes to withstand Hughes & Co.

My pick: Vancouver Canucks FT @ -103 on BetMGM!